Combination scooter/backpack

ABSTRACT

The combination scooter/backpack is an article carrying device with the capacity to be converted into a wheeled land vehicle, and therefore has two modes of usage. The article carrying device resembles a conventional backpack with two straps positioned to be placed over the user&#39;s shoulders, entitled backpack mode. The wheeled land vehicle functions as a popular collapsible scooter, two wheels mounted upon a board member with propulsion means provided by user&#39;s contact with the ground, entitled scooter mode. A horizontal handlebar is positioned at the top of the combination and serves to steer the front wheel during scooter mode. Conversion between backpack mode and scooter mode is accomplished with the raising and lowering of said handlebar and the manipulation of releasable fasteners and latches. In both backpack and scooter modes, a cover circumferentially surrounds the combination scooter/backpack to secure and protect components that are not in use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 11/340,504 Jan. 27, 2006now U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,311 which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 ofprovisional patent application No. 60/647,346 filed on Jan. 27, 2005 andentitled “Combination Scooter/backpack,” the entire contents of suchapplications are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The presented invention involves an apparatus for article carrying. Theapparatus is generally a wheeled article carrier with the capacity toconvert into a rider-operated scooter. Additionally, the articlecarrying function of the apparatus is not lost when the scooter is inuse.

Presently, students and travelers of all ages employ back or shouldercarried devices to carry their belongings. Supporting these heavy loads,especially over extended periods of time, has been shown to promotemuscular and skeletal back injuries. This occurs most commonly whilewalking long distances, for example, a child's walk to and from schoolor a tourist's path to and from a train station. The present inventionallows those distances to be traversed without any stress on the back,therefore saving the child, or user, from injury. Currently this productexists as two separate products, a backpack and a scooter, but theycannot be used together in the beneficial manner this inventionproposes. Combining the equipment therefore creates a unique solution toan everyday problem.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is an article carrier with several modes oftransportation provided in it. The carrier takes the form of atraditional flexible container with a strap positioned on a single face.Opposite said face is attached a rigid two-piece frame which makescontact along the vertical height of the carrier and bends aroundunderneath providing support. Inserted into the frame is a telescopingsteering column assembly that runs along the vertical height of thecarrier and is positioned in the center of said frame. The steeringcolumn assembly attaches to a single pivoting wheel at the bottom of theframe and a handlebar at the top. The handlebar can be raised above andlowered to the top face of the carrier while the wheel remainsstationary. Only when in the raised position, the handlebar exerts atorque on the wheel through the steering column providing steeringcontrol. Attached opposite the carrier on the frame is a board thatpivots around a hinge at the base of the frame. The board is linked tothe handlebar in such a way that raising the handlebar rotates the boardaround this hinge and extends outwardly in a horizontal fashion.Similarly, lowering the handlebar lifts the board back to its verticallyoriented position against the face of the plastic frame. A secondimmovable wheel is embedded into the far end of the board enablingrolling upon two wheels to occur when the board is extended. A brakingmechanism makes contact with a portion of this rear wheel. A cover pieceis attached along its edge to a horizontal face of the carrier adjacentto either face containing the straps or frame. This cover piececircumferentially surrounds the carrier in either direction and fastensto its opposite face. Once fastened, the cover piece secures theshoulder straps to the carrier or the pivoting board to the frame,creating an aesthetic, safe, and organized appearance.

With these features in place, the carrier has two suggested modes oftransportation, while others are possible. The first mode is to placethe strap around a wearer's shoulder and place the bag on the back in atraditional backpack position. The handlebar is in the lowered position,adjacent the top of the frame. The board is in the vertical position,parallel to the frame, and the fabric is wrapped around it, securing itto the frame away from the wearer. This provides a source of comfortsince the rigid components of the frame assembly are not in contact withthe wearer's back.

The second mode is a riding mode. The handlebar is in the raisedposition and the board is linked mechanically to extend parallel to theground. The handlebar is connected to the front caster through thesteering column and provides steering control. The cover piece iswrapped around the shoulder straps securing them to the carrier. Theuser stands with one or both feet upon the board and their weight isdistributed amongst the two casters. The article carrier is deposed infront of the user on the opposite side of the frame, secured andbalanced about the front wheel by the weight of the user. The user canthen push the board with a foot upon the ground and roll to thedestination while steering with the handlebar.

These features function together to provide: a spacious flexiblecontainer with a strap, a comfortably distributed load when device isupon wearer's back, a balanced two-wheeled ride upon a scooter, aweightless and stress-free carrying of personal belongings, a fasterthan walking means of locomotion, a practical and simple steeringmechanism, a selectively separable board and bag that prevents thewearer or rider from misplacing the scooter or bag respectively,convenient and continual access to both said bag and scootersimultaneously, an organized aesthetic appearance during use in eithermode, and a unique and expedited bag to scooter conversion process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be further described by the following figures,whereby:

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are isometric views of a scooter/backpack according tothe present invention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are front views of each steering column member.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are front views of the steering column assemblywith the plastic frame cut away.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view showing the periphery of steering columnmembers.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the plastic frame and lower steering columnmembers.

FIG. 12 is a rear view as in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cutaway view of the plastic frame and middle steeringcolumn member.

FIG. 14A is an isometric view of the frame sections and handlebar.

FIG. 14B is an exploded view of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the combination scooter/backpack.

FIG. 16 is a side view as in FIG. 16.

FIGS. 17, 18, and 19 are cutaway views of the plastic frame and hinge

FIG. 20 is a front view of the board lock.

FIGS. 21, 22, and 23 are isometric views as in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 24C are cross-sectional views of each steeringcolumn member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiment of the combination scooter/backpack 1 can beseen in FIG. 1. The combination scooter/backpack 1 is shown in itsbackpack mode. The bag 3 has two padded shoulder straps 7 attached inconventional backpack locations. In the preferred embodiment means areprovided to adjust length of each strap to accommodate varying sizes ofwearer. An edge of flap 2 is sown vertically upon the face of bag 3,parallel to the L-shaped plastic frame section 4. It secures to theopposite face of bag 3 through the interaction of male 5 and female 6clips of the type common to the backpack industry. The flap 2 is capableof wrapping around said scooter/backpack 1 in either direction, therebysecuring either the shoulder straps 7 to the bag 3 for scooter mode, orthe board 9 to the I-shaped plastic frame section 8 for backpack mode.The flap 2 assists to retain board 9 in a manageable position so as toavoid contact with passers by or the like while creating an organizedand aesthetically pleasing appearance. Flap 2 is preferably made of aflexible yet durable material such as nylon fabric, yet other materialsmay be used.

As seen in FIG. 2, the male clips 5 have been released from female clips6 and flap 2 has been uncurled. The L-shaped plastic frame section 4functions to support the bag 3 and its contents. L-shaped plastic framesection 4 mates along plastic frame seam 10 with the I-shaped plasticframe section 8 through fasteners 16. Preferably, frame sections 4 and 8are constructed from medium density plastics for strength and weightconsiderations. In accordance with the backpack mode of the presentinvention, board 9 lies vertically against I-shaped plastic framesection 8 while a handlebar 11 is in its lowered position. The frontwheel 12 is underneath the plastic frame sections and is connected tothe handlebar 11 as part of steering column assembly 14, not shown. Thesteering column assembly 14 stands between the plastic frame sections 4and 8. Attached to the far end of board 9 is rear wheel 13. Also shownin FIG. 2, are lid 41 and lid fastener 43. In preferred embodiments ofthe invention, lid 41 is the portion of bag 3 that is adjacent aclosable opening. Lid fastener 43 serves to release lid 41 when accessto the contents of bag 3 is desired and close lid 41 to securebelongings for transport or security reasons. Lid fastener 43 could beconstrued as, but not limited to, such commonly understood fastenertypes as buttons, zippers, snaps, etc.

FIG. 3 shows flap 2 surrounding shoulder straps 7 during scooter mode.Handlebar 11 is raised to its elevated position exposing inner column20, which is a portion of steering column assembly 14. Board 9 islowered and ready to be stepped upon by the user. Board 9 is connectedto the I-shaped plastic frame 8 through hinge assembly 15. Hingeassembly 15 consists of hinge pin 28, board plate 29, and frame plate39. Additionally, board 9 is connected to the steering column assembly14 through linkage arms 17. This enables the raising and lowering ofhandlebar 11 to rotate board 9 between stowed and extended positions.This feature relies on the mechanism of steering column assembly 14 aswill be seen, and is extremely convenient for the user. Effectively, theuser can stow or extend the board 9 without crouching or stooping downto manipulate the board by hand, thereby avoiding any possible backdiscomfort due to such positions.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C detail the steering column components of thesteering column assembly 14. The outer column 18, middle column 19, andinner column 20 stand concentrically in a telescoping fashion. As seenin FIG. 24A, outer column 18 has a rectangular outer perimeter andcircular inner diameter to accommodate the middle column 19. Thickness21 is provided around outer column 18 to limit the vertical travel ofsaid column within the plastic frame sections. Linkage arms 17 areconnected to the bottom of the outer column 18 through pivotconnections, as will be shown in more detail later. Outer column 18 alsocontains openings 25 to accept lower button set 24. As can be seen inFIGS. 4B and 24B, middle column 19 stands the tallest among the threecolumns. It has circular outer and inner perimeters, the outer smallenough to slide within the outer column 18 and an inner large enough toaccommodate the inner column 20. The front wheel 12 is connected to thebottom of the middle cylinder through front forks 22 in a standard axleconfiguration. Middle column 19 contains one set of openings 26 and oneset of slots 27 to accept upper and lower button sets 23 and 24.

In FIG. 4C the inner column member 20 is shown. Inner column member 20stands inside the middle column member 19 and travels up and down withmovement of the handlebar 11. As seen in FIG. 24C, the inner and outerperimeters of inner column 20 are circular. To retain certain verticalpositions within middle column 19 the inner column member 20 employsupper and lower button sets 23 and 24. Upper and lower button sets 23and 24 are generally of rectangular shape and extend outwards engagingthe openings 25 and 26 and slots 27 of outer and middle columns 18 and19. Button sets 23 and 24 are spring loaded and require depression bythe user to sink into the inner column 20 effectively disengaging themfrom the corresponding openings or slots. While positioned inside middlecolumn 19, only one button set can extend at a time. As will be shown,lower button set 24 is used to engage both outer column 18 and middlecolumn 19 to the inner column 20, while upper button set 23 engagesopenings 26 for transmitting torque from the handlebar 11 to the frontwheel 12 during steering.

Furthermore, it can be shown that a variety of different shapes,dimensions, quantities of, and placement positions on said steeringcolumn assembly 14 for said button sets 23 and 24 and openings 25 and 26and slot 27 are advantageous over one another for reasons of steeringmechanics, varying sizes of riders, ease of manufacturing, loaddistribution, overall aesthetics, etc. It is therefore not the intentionof the proposed invention to limit itself in any one of theseconfigurations, rather to simply establish a means to perform necessaryfunctions of the invention.

The following Figures demonstrate the arrangement of column members 18,19, and 20. In FIG. 5, the steering column assembly 14 is shown in itsentirety while in its closed position known as position 1. Thecombination scooter/backpack 1 is in the backpack mode of use and is tobe converted to scooter mode. The handlebar 11 is in the it's lowestposition against the top of the plastic frame sections. The upper buttonset 23 of inner column member 20 are depressed and inside the middlecolumn 19 unable to extend. Lower button set 24, however, is extendedcompletely through slots 27 of the middle column 19 and openings 25 ofouter column 18, thereby linking the impending vertical travel of theouter and inner column members 18 and 20. Rotational movement of thehandlebar is prevented due to the square cross section of outer column18 constrained inside plastic frame sections 4 and 8.

In FIG. 6, the combination scooter/backpack 1 is in Position 2. Thehandlebar 11 has been lifted a small distance causing outer columnmember 18 to travel upwards the same amount. Middle column 19 remainsunaffected because lower buttons 24 travel within slots 27. Preferably,slot 27 is slightly longer than the initial raise of handlebar 11. Aswill be shown, lifting outer column 18 will cause board 9 to rotate bymeans of linkage arms 17. This prepares the combination scooter/backpack1 for scooter mode, and allows user access to the lower button set 24,which was previously covered by board 9.

In FIG. 7, the user has depressed lower button set 24 far enough to sinkinto middle column 19 to allow additional vertical travel of handlebar11.

In FIG. 8, the combination scooter/backpack 1 is in Position 4.Handlebar 11 has been lifted to the height for steering use in scootermode. Lower button set 24 is depressed and contained inside middlecolumn 19. Upper button set 23, previously depressed and inside middlecolumn 19, are now aligned with openings 26.

In FIG. 9, the combination scooter/backpack 1 is in Position 5. Upperbutton set 23 extends under the push of its spring through the openings26 of middle column 19. Torque can now be effectively transmitted fromhandlebar 11 to front wheel 12 during steering. The steering assembly 14is now configured for scooter mode.

FIGS. 5-9 show the conversion process from backpack to scooter modes ofthe combination scooter/backpack 1. Performing this process in reversewill successfully convert combination scooter/backpack 1 from scootermode to backpack. The user would dismount from board 9 and depress upperbutton set 23 into openings 26 of middle column 19. Then, loweringhandlebar 11 a first distance will allow lower button set 24 to extendthrough slots 27 and openings 25 and engage middle and outer columns 19and 20. A further lowering of handlebar 11 will lower outer column 18and cause linkage arms to rotate around hinge pin 28. Through boardplate 29, board 9 rotates upwardly to the vertical position and isprepared for flap 2 to surround and secure it to I-shaped plastic frame8. Consequently, the combination scooter/backpack 1 is in backpack mode,and ready to be placed upon the user.

FIG. 10 shows the additional mating connection between the middle andinner columns 19 and 20. In addition to upper button set 23, inner andmiddle columns 19 and 20 are conjoined by flange 30 and groove 31.Flange 30 and groove 31 partially run the distance between upper andlower button sets 23 and 24, acting to assist the upper button set 23 intransmitting torque during steering and restrain the handlebar duringbackpack mode as well as other advantages.

Turning now to FIG. 11, the I-shaped plastic frame section 8 is shown.The frame has a perimeter section 32. It should be noted that perimetersection 32 can be any thickness, internal or external, necessary tosupport a variety of rider sizes under a variety of riding connections.Perimeter section 32 defines a rectangular shape for plastic framesections 4 and 8. Attached to perimeter section 32 are spokes 33 used tosupport upper stopper 34 and lower stopper 35. Upper and lower stoppers34 and 35 function to limit the vertical travel of outer column 18 bycontacting thickness 21. Referring to FIG. 9, the outer column 18 is inits lowest position and the combination scooter/backpack 1 is inbackpack mode. Furthermore, it should be noted that features 32, 33, 34,and 35 of I-shaped plastic frame section 8 are mirrored in the verticallength of L-shaped plastic frame member 4, thereby completing the twohalves of plastic frame necessary to surround steering column assembly14.

Continuing to FIG. 12, the outer column 18 has been raised a slightamount through its connection to the inner column 20 and handlebar 11.The thickness 21 contacts the upper stopper 34 thereby preventingfurther raising of the handlebar, indicating to the user that the board9 is in the extended position. Additionally, openings 25 and lowerbutton set 24 are exposed to the user, allowing depression of thebuttons to advance the conversion process. Once lower button set 24 isdepressed beneath middle column 19 the handlebar 11 and inner column 20can be raised further. It should be noted that middle column 19 andfront wheel 12 have remained motionless during the process between FIGS.9 and 10.

FIG. 13 details the connection between the middle column 19 andperimeter section 32. The connection is made through a bearing 36. Inthe preferred embodiment, two tapered roller bearings of typicalindustry standard should be mounted in an indirect configuration. Thebearings 36 is paramount in its function to transmit the rider's weightfrom the board 9, through plastic frame sections 4 and 8, and onto themiddle column 19 and front wheel 12. In the preferred embodiment,bearings 36 are placed in the perimeter section 32. In alternativeembodiments, additional bearings 36 may be placed in other locations,such as the upper stopper 34 to aid in the transmission of weightbetween the plastic frame sections 4 and 8 and middle column 19. Itshould be noted that other means for connection between middle column 19and frame sections 4 and 8 are possible. Roller bearings are onlypresented as a preferred means.

FIGS. 14A and 18B highlight the connection between the steering columnassembly 14 and plastic frame sections 4 and 8. As can be seen, I-shapedplastic frame section 8 fastens through fasteners 16 to thecomplementarily shaped L-shaped plastic frame section 4. Also includedon L-shaped plastic frame section 4 are feet 42. Feet 42 function toprovide support for loads carried in bag 3. In the preferred embodimentthey are of rectangular cross-section but any shape may be implementedto achieve desired load-carrying performance. Additionally, FIG. 14Bshows the connection between middle column 19 of steering columnassembly 14 and plastic frame sections 4 and 8. Bearings 36 surround andsecure middle column 19 to the perimeter section 32 and/or upper stopper34 of plastic frame sections 4 and 8. This attachment will allowrotation of middle column 19 for steering, yet support against the axialand radial thrust loads that will result from user manipulation ofhandlebar 11. It should be noted that features 12, 32, 33, 34, and 35have been omitted from FIGS. 14A and 14B for clarity.

As shown in FIG. 15, the combination scooter/backpack is in the backpackmode. The board 9 is in the vertical position and the outer column 18 isin the lowest position. Linkage arms 17 are attached to the bottom ofouter column 18. Linkage arms 17 are themselves a pivot joint connectionbetween two arms, upper arms 37 and lower arms 38. Upper arms 37 areattached to the outer column 18 through a pivot connection and to lowerarms 38 through a pivot connection. On their opposite end, lower arms 38are fixedly connected to hinge pin 28 thereby linking vertical movementof outer column 18 and rotational movement of hinge pin 28. Upper andlower arms 37 and 38 are shown shaped in rectangular fashion, but otherlengths, widths, and curvatures are possible to achieve desiredrotational performance of board 9.

FIG. 16 shows linkage arms 17 while the combination scooter backpack isin the scooter mode. The outer column 18 is in the raised position andboard 9 is lowered for riding use. The outer column 18 has been raisedand upper arms 37 have straightened and pulled on lower arms 38 causingrotation about hinge pin 28. As demonstrated, linkage arms 17 functionto rotate board 9 not only with the raising, but lowering of handlebar11.

FIG. 17 is shown for purposes of highlighting the interaction betweenlinkage arms 17, hinge pin 28, board hinge plate 29, and frame hingeplate 39. Sections of plastic frame sections 4 and 8 and outer column 18have been removed for clarity. Outer column 18 is inside lower stopper35. Upper arms 37 are pivotally connected to the bottom of outer column18. Studs 40 are provided on outer column 18 to limit the arcuate pathof upper arm 37 during the conversion process. Lower arm 38 is pivotallyconnected to upper arm 37 and fixedly connected to hinge pin 28.Thereby, lower arm 38 transmits the vertical displacement of upper arm37 to rotation of hinge pin 28. Board hinge plate 29 is fixedlyconnected to hinge pin 28, thereby linking the angular rotation of hingepin 28 to the rotation of board hinge plate 29 and board 9. Frame hingeplate 39 is fixedly attached along its face to the perimeter section 32and pivotally connected to hinge pin 28. This allows hinge pin 28 torotate independent of frame hinge plate 39. As can be seen in FIG. 17,the combination scooter backpack 1 is in backpack mode. Board hingeplate 29 and board 9 lay vertically against I-shaped plastic frame 8.The steering column assembly 14 is in Position 1.

FIG. 18 shows the previous components in transition between Positions 1and 2 of steering column assembly 14. Outer column 18 has been pulled upby its connection to handlebar 11 through lower button set 24. Lower arm38 has been pulled up by upper arm 37 causing rotation of hinge pin 28and board hinge plate 29.

FIG. 19 shows outer column 18 and related hinge components in Position2. Outer column 18 has reached its maximum height and board 9 hasreached its extended position, reaching outwardly from the plasticframe.

While the board 9 is secured to I-shaped plastic frame section 8 throughflap 2 in backpack mode, board 9 requires an additional lockingmechanism to secure it in the extended position during scooter mode.FIG. 20 shows a preferred embodiment of the mechanism used to lock board9 in the extended position during the scooter mode of usage. Board lock44 consists of two parallel arms 46 connected by a bridging member 47.FIGS. 21, 22, and 23 show the preferred embodiment of board lock 44 andits position on board 9. Board lock 44 is attached to board 9 pivotallyat board lock joint 45. FIG. 21 shows the combination scooter/backpack 1in backpack mode. Board lock 44 lies parallel to board 9, securedagainst plastic frame 8. In FIG. 22, handlebar 11 has been raised andcaused outer column 18 to rotate board 9 to the extended position. Boardlock 44 lies against board 9 ready for rotation. FIG. 23 shows boardlock 44 rotated upwardly and around to press against frame section 8. Inthis position, board lock 44 resists any torque around hinge pin 28 thatmay occur from the user pulling on handlebar 11 during scooter mode. Inthe preferred embodiment, unique feet may be incorporated onto parallelarms 46 to better fit against I-shaped plastic frame 8. When convertingfrom scooter mode to backpack, the process outlined in FIGS. 21-23should be reversed. Board lock 44 should be rotated away and down fromplastic frame section 8 and stowed against board 9, prepared for therotation of board 9 to the vertical position.

1. A wheeled vehicle, comprising: a rigid frame configured to support ahandle assembly; a supporting unit including a first wheel, thesupporting unit pivotable between a first position and a secondposition, wherein in the first position the supporting unit is arrangedclose to the frame, and in the second position, the supporting unit isextending away from the frame; said handle assembly including a firstcolumn member, the first column member slidably attached to the frameand configured to be moved upwards and downwards away and towards theframe; a mechanism attached to the frame, the supporting unit and thefirst column member, the mechanism configured to rotate the supportingunit about a pivot axis from the second position to the first position,when the first column member is moved downwards in a direction towardsthe frame; a second column member, the first column member arranged in alongitudinal slidable relationship with the second column member, and asecond wheel arranged at a bottom end of the second column member,wherein the first column member is configured to turn the second columnmember and the second wheel about the longitudinal axis.
 2. The wheeledvehicle according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism is furtherconfigured to rotate the supporting unit about a pivot axis from thefirst position to the second position, when the first column member ismoved upwards in a direction away from the frame.
 3. The wheeled vehicleaccording to claim 1, wherein when the first column is fastened to thesteering position, the supporting unit is located in the secondposition.
 4. The wheeled vehicle according to claim 1, furthercomprising a fastening mechanism configured to fasten the first columnmember to a steering position relative to the frame in a longitudinaldirection, and configured to allow a turning movement about alongitudinal axis of the first column member.
 5. The wheeled vehicleaccording to claim 4, wherein when the first column member is fastenedto the steering position, the supporting unit is located in the secondposition.